Financial politics, and more to worry about (sorry)

[lagilman]

I've mostly avoided talking about politics here (mostly) because I do that shit on Facebook and Twitter. But this article came up in my feed this morning, and it's...credible. And would explain Trump's need to strip-mine the country.

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/edblog/maybe-the-answer-is-that-he-can-t-divest

Since Donald Trump's surprise election one month ago, there's been a bubbling conversation about the mammoth conflicts of interest he will have if he is running or even owning his far flung business enterprises while serving as the head of state. I've suggested that the whole notion of 'conflicts of interest' doesn't really capture what we're dealing with here, which is really a pretty open effort to leverage the presidency to expand his family business. But a couple things came together for me today which make me think we've all missed the real issue.

Maybe he can't divest because he's too underwater to do so or more likely he's too dependent on current and expanding cash flow to divest or even turn the reins over to someone else.

Comments

[deborahjross.livejournal.com]

It's been clear to me that Trump's goal is his personal enrichment and he intends to accomplish that by looting America. He doesn't care if his corruption is public knowledge, so long as he's surrounded by fellow rich white men aiming to get even richer.

[dancinghorse.livejournal.com]

I've always figured he's broke and this is his Hail Mary pass to get rich one more time, the only way he has left to him. He's burned too many bridges everywhere else.

[badgermirlacca.livejournal.com]

The NYT newsfeed today said that "Rex Tillerson, the Exxon Mobil chief with ties to Vladimir Putin, is expected to be Donald Trump's pick for secretary of state".

I hope to God that the electors are paying attention to all this. It seems pretty clear that Trump has sold the country to Russia, and isn't even bothering to hide the fact.

[joycemocha.livejournal.com]

Yep. When I read that article things started to fall into place.

ETA: The other thing I'm wondering is if he's planning to use the Presidency as a means to bolster "Celebrity Apprentice." Perhaps that's one means to bolster his financials...

[joycemocha.livejournal.com]

ARRGGH. Too early in the morning! No more edits--say "one means to build up his financials"

[cypherindigo.livejournal.com]

This may be too simplistic, but it was the first thought I had after reading the article.

Trump's "Empire" is a giant Ponzi scheme that will make Bernie Madoff look like a rank amature.